Boot Camp 1960

Shipmates,

I joined the Navy in August, 1960. Although I was only 17 years old, and hadn't finished high school, I was determined to leave home and 'be a man.' My best friend and I joined under the buddy system and were flown to NTC San Diego. Following three days in 'waiting company' where we first experienced '0-dark-thirty,' we were assigned to company 60-440.

I feel that I was VERY lucky to have experienced boot-camp in 1960. This may seem odd to some, but for me, it was a God send. You see, in those days, the training officers (Company Commanders) were still allowed to be 'mean' to those of us who had attitude problems.They could refer to us , as trainees, in less that flattering terms. And they could (within limits) lay hands upon us, as a first step in healing us of our sins of lack of discipline and good Naval order ; in other words they could square us away!! Of course, for those who couldn't see the big picture, there was always "4013" company, and, if necessary, the brig.

I'll relate one anecdote that I hope you won't find boring.

We were still on Nimitz Island, within our first two weeks of training. One particularly hot September afternoon, we were on the 'grinder,' in company formation, conducting a charming exercise called "Up shoulders, out arms" with our beloved Springfield model 1903 rifles. Our Company Commander, a Machinist Mate Chief, had worked us into a mild sweat. At some point he decided to have a cigar break (I don't recall ever actually seeing him SMOKE a cigar). He put the Company at Parade Rest and left the grinder. In his absence, many of the recruits started grousing about the fast pace of the exercise. For reasons unknown (to me), I was selected to petition the Chief to slow the cadence.

Upon his return, the Chief (I'm convinced he set us up) asked if, before we resumed the exercise, there were any questions. Timidly, I raised my had. Following is a fair rendition of the discourse:

Chief: "Alright, you s***birds. Any questions?"

Me: "Yes sir. The guys have asked me to see if you could slow the cadence a bit."

Chief: "Oh, you feel the cadence is too fast Leg-leg (a crude rendition of my sir name)?"

Me: "Well, yes sir..."

Chief (To the Company): "Company, atteeenhut !! Miss Leg-Leg feels that I,m not being nice to you s***birds. She feels the cadence is too fast !! She feels that she's tired ! " (I knew I was DEAD). So, we'll slow the cadence so you ladies won't feel that I'm a mean ol' Chief !!"

With that, he again started the exercise to the point where we were holding our rifles in a horizontal position, arms outstretched, and left us in that position as he once again exited the grinder ! It wasn't long until that 13 pound rifle weighed 30 pounds, and all of my fellow recruits were threatening to kill me,.. IF I WAS LUCKY !

Boot camp was only 10 weeks, but I learned disciplines that have served me a lifetime. I thank ' The Old Navy' for what it did for me. Eventually, I would end up serving 3 years as an FMF Corpsman (following 2 years as a regular Sailor). But that's a different story.

Ralph Lillig
Former HM3
Monrovia, CA

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